Things learnt transitioning to open source software during a financial downturn

1. It’s All One Big Opportunity
Jo Cook
Senior Applications Development
Oxford Archaeology/OA Digital

2. The study of past societies
through their human remains
Photo by Individuo
Flickr Creative Commons

3. A few representations
in the popular press

4. Archaeology in real life
Photo © Oxford Archaeology Unit

5. Archiving Data In Perpetuity:
The paper approach
Photo Dolescum
Flickr Creative Commons

6. Archiving Data In Perpetuity:
Much harder with digital data
Photo David Glover
Flickr Creative Commons

7. InputInput
?? OutputOutput
If the process is software-dependent,
it's not fully reproducible at an
unspecified future point

9. Survey on site

10. The search for a
digital on site recording
device

11. Our planned approach
for site use

12. Back in the office

13. To publication (and beyond...)

14. People fear change and having to re-learn skills
Software <> Data!
Differing Expectations
Challenges...
Photo SarahGB Flickr Creative Commons

15. No Good Open Source CAD
Challenges...
Dead Ends
Rough Edges
Photo *n3wjack's world in pixels
Flickr Creative Commons

16. Photo DonnaGrayson
Flickr Creative Commons
But remember that...

17. Photo TheTruthAbout...
Flickr Creative Commons
Opportunities...
Better Staff Engagement
Consultancy
Greater Control and Freedom
Cost Savings

18. Conclusions
Open Source works in a
professional geospatial
environment
Examine your current
software and work-flows
What is the true cost of
not investigating alternatives?Photo timothygareth
Flickr Creative Commons

19. Thank You!
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Joanne Cook
Senior IT Support and Development Officer
Oxford Archaeology/OA Digital
j.cook@thehumanjourney.net
+44 (0)1524 880212